What to do with older chicks

[DaphneBeard]

I had a broody hen, I gave her 3 little chicks, I did not seperate her or the chicks from the flock they have all been together for the past 2 weeks in the same coop but are free to go in and out as they please, I did build a nesting box in the bottom of the coop since the chicks would not have been able to get to the top where the nesting boxes are. I do supply chick feed and some water in the coop for the chicks but they eat whatever their momma has them eating which is a whole range of things since they free roam. I am curious what happens when the hen stops mothering the chicks. Since they are already in the same coop and out and about with the flock will they just contunue on with life? Do I need to do anything different?
This is my first flock of chickens and my first time adding chicks, sorry if my question is stupid.

 

[Molpet]

Mine kick the kids to the curb 6 to 12 weeks . They stay in the coop unless there's a bully that keeps them out. Usually it's a cockerel and he sneaks in at dusk.

 

[alwaystj9]

They will just continue on with life. Mine kind of hang with their siblings for most of the first year but do integrate with the flock. You may have some issues with the males. They may be harassed/attacked by your adult roo or they may be the harassers or attackers. The teenage males may also fight with each other.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I did build a nesting box in the bottom of the coop since the chicks would not have been able to get to the top where the nesting boxes are.

My chicks cannot get back into the nest either. I do not provide any nest, the hen takes then to bed on the coop floor. Nothing wrong with what you did, just probably unnecessary. I trust the broody to know what to do in most circumstances.

I am curious what happens when the hen stops mothering the chicks.

I don't know what your coop and run look like. If it is one of those teeny tiny ones where you shoehorn as many chickens as you can into it you might have issues. If you have a decent amount of room you will probably be fine.

I've had hens wean their chicks as young as three weeks. I've had some not wean their chicks until they are almost 3 months old. I have a roomy coop and a lot of room outside, my chicks are fine. They can take care of themselves. The hen took care of integration so the others don't attack them. Each chicken has its own personality and each flock has its ow dynamics so anything can happen but I have not had any problems.

There are exceptions, but usually my chicks form their own sub-flock until the pullets start to lay. They avoid the adults day and night, but I have room enough for them to do that. Once they start to lay they are accepted as adult members of the flock.

My goal for integration is that no one gets hurt. Nothing more than that. Once they mature enough to join the flock it becomes one flock. Until then, as long as no one gets hurt life is good.

 

[Paz]

If your hen mother is a good mother, she’ll take care of everything. She’ll make sure they are integrated correctly so they can continue on with their normal lives once she weans them off. She may continue protecting them from the others as needed for a while after weaning them off too.

 

[DaphneBeard]

They will just continue on with life. Mine kind of hang with their siblings for most of the first year but do integrate with the flock. You may have some issues with the males. They may be harassed/attacked by your adult roo or they may be the harassers or attackers. The teenage males may also fight with each other.

Thank you! I have no males so hopefully they will blend right in.

 

[DaphneBeard]

If your hen mother is a good mother, she’ll take care of everything. She’ll make sure they are integrated correctly so they can continue on with their normal lives once she weans them off. She may continue protecting them from the others as needed for a while after weaning them off too.

That is kinda how I feel it has been going so far, she does bring them around the other chickens mainly when there is food involved.